A psychological thriller about an innocent family as they stumble upon a holiday in hell: Anna, George and their son arrive at their lovely lakeside home on vacation and meet a strange and demanding young man--a guest of their… MoreA psychological thriller about an innocent family as they stumble upon a holiday in hell: Anna, George and their son arrive at their lovely lakeside home on vacation and meet a strange and demanding young man--a guest of their neighbors''--who turns out to have rather violent tendencies.

The first half is sadistically intense, Geiring and Frisch make wonderfully creepy psychopaths, and Haneke and cinematographer Jurgen Jurges burnish the film to a high polish that's rare for the genre.

'Funny Games' is one of the most provocative films I have ever seen, if not the most. I see what Michael Haneke is trying to do, he's revisiting… More'Funny Games' is one of the most provocative films I have ever seen, if not the most. I see what Michael Haneke is trying to do, he's revisiting themes of the media and desensitisation like he did in 'Benny's Video', however this time Haneke is directly confronting his audience about the violence they supposedly watch with relish. The antagonist of the film actually addresses the audience, asking 'Don't you want some plot development?', 'You're on their side, aren't you?' He needlessly injects this nasty film with condescension and pretension, and none of it really works, Haneke only succeeds in appearing smug and self-righteous. Haneke has said that he makes the viewer an 'accomplice' of the murderers. No he doesn't, not at all. Not once did I even begin to want to be an 'accomplice', the antagonists are some of the most wretched I've ever seen, it's nonsense. During the evil mind games that the killers inflict on the family, I felt like them, a victim, not an 'accomplice'. I, like any other viewer, was desperately hoping that the family could somehow escape their captors.
The ill-judged provocation climaxes in a scene where Haneke 'manipulates' the audience, making them 'applaud' violence; but applauding is a completely justified response to the scene, which, without giving anything away, concerns the maiming of a truly reprehensible character. If Hanake himself were in the Anna and Georg's situation, he'd be utterly liberated by what occurs; it is the film's most self-righteous, hypocritical scene. It is obvious that violence can be used accordingly, it is quite often a necessity, and this particular scene is the most appropriate use of violence imaginable. The majority of the violence one witnesses in Film and TV is far removed from reality, people are aware and afraid of the ugly, messy truth of violence, the films that 'Funny Games' tries to chastise serve only as harmless escapism. Haneke seems very pleased with this creation, but he shouldn't be, this rather ambitious film falls flat, achieving in merely riling its audience, not holding a mirror to their faces.
Haneke seems to think he has the viewer in a vice-like grip, and he does, but certainly not in the way he thinks he does, which is 'manipulating' and exposing sick little voyeurs. Instead, he keeps the stranglehold on his audience through his skill for building excruciating tension to the point where the eventual violence, which is never gratuitous, is wholly more potent. It's undeniably powerful, and the acting is unsettlingly good, it's a thoroughly unpleasant, tortuous film. However, if you need reminding of the ugly reality of violence, there are many films out there that will deliver without the pretence.

Melvin White

Paul: We're not up to feature film length yet.
Warning: Explicit content coming.
You know what? Fuck this movie and fuck Michael Haneke. You are a giant… MorePaul: We're not up to feature film length yet.
Warning: Explicit content coming.
You know what? Fuck this movie and fuck Michael Haneke. You are a giant fucking pussy. Oh you don't like movies that show violence as being "cool" or "funny." Nobody gives a shit. Your annoying piece of shit film is a testament to tedious, annoying, in your face, manipulative garbage. I absolutely hated this movie, but I figure you have guessed that by now.
This film takes its message to such an annoying level that I can't believe I was able to sit through the whole thing. Haneke is so pretentious that he even felt to remake the movie in English with big names like Naomi Watts and Tim Roth. We sit through winks at the camera and the annoying as hell villains talking about what the audience is expecting. Haneke continues to hit you over the head with his self righteous bullshit.
Now to move on to the plot. For being labeled a sadistic, disturbing horror film; it's surprisingly dull. First off, it's in no way disturbing or scary. The director is too big a pussy to make it disturbing or scary. Two annoying villains take a family of three over and "torture them physically and mentally" or at least that's what I've been told. To me it's just some skinny fuck calling his partner "Fatty" and then Fatty replying, "Quit calling me Fatty" with a whimper. It's violence is offscreen as Haneke obviously wants all movies to do.
One more time for good measure... Fuck You Michael Haneke!!

Bruce Bruce

.This movie is another from a long list of movies that played at the 1997 Toronto International Film Festival. A German Thriller, and my first question is, are… More.This movie is another from a long list of movies that played at the 1997 Toronto International Film Festival. A German Thriller, and my first question is, are there any couples in Germany that are this stupid. What we have here is a film of two young men who go from rich homes in a holiday area killing those within the homes one by one. The big surprise to me was the shotgun killing of the child. Second was the great acting of terror and shock by Susanne Lothar, she must have stayed up a week to look like she did near the end of this movie. Full of suspense and twist, like the added flirt with the remote control. Its a hidden unheard of film here in this country and one that all should see if you like thrillers, mystery and killing. Must warn you audio in German with English Subtitles, not to be confused with the 2008 version released by Americans. 4 Stars

Alex roy

Home invasion films are nothing new, and there have been quite a few films in the last few years that really have reinvigorated the genre, most notable… MoreHome invasion films are nothing new, and there have been quite a few films in the last few years that really have reinvigorated the genre, most notable You're Next and The Strangers. But Michael Haneke's 1997 film Funny Games ranks among one of the finest genre films and it's a brilliantly crafted picture, one that steadily builds up the tension and takes you on a nightmarish journey through hell. The cast are great in their roles and there is enough tension on-screen to grab your attention from beginning to end. What makes this such a twisted viewing is the fact that the villains are unrelenting and are truly menacing. The film is unflinching in its brutality, and Haneke's direction brilliantly conveys the dire situation that the characters go through. In terms of a horror film, Funny Games succeeds on many levels, and it's one that definitely goes for the human psyche and in doing so makes feel uncomfortable throughout the film. Like I said, home invasion films are not new, but when done right, they tend to succeed at being a truly disturbing and memorable horror film. That is the case with Funny Games, this film will stay with you long after you've seen it, and if you enjoy a well crafted, disturbing piece of horror, then this film is for you. The film has everything you'd expect from a good horror film and if you're a diehard horror fan, you definitely should give this one a viewing. With a great story, terrific acting and directing, Funny Games is an accomplished horror film that stands out among the genre as one of the best home invasion films ever made.

Daniel Perry

The 2004 DVD release of this film has an interview at the end with Michael Haneke that I think is essential. In it, he says that "People watch this film… MoreThe 2004 DVD release of this film has an interview at the end with Michael Haneke that I think is essential. In it, he says that "People watch this film for as long as they have to." If you've never been the type to watch violent films, you'll turn this off right away... and if you're always watching them, you'll very likely get to the end. As Haneke puts it, you'll only get to the end if you need to.
So what is it? Basically, a couple and their son (about 10 years old) travel to a summer home, where they become victims of a home invasion, in which the two villains narrate their actions, playing a form of twisted game in order to exploit, humiliate and eventually harm them. The story and the violence are carried off in a winking way, however, made to make you question what exactly you're watching, how you're watching it, and why. Hard to say more without ruining the effect. Provocative stuff.

Sophie Burgess

A brilliant an bleak film. Acted perfectly and shot in a great way. I don't really understand the whole rewind bit and breaking the fourth wall. If not for… MoreA brilliant an bleak film. Acted perfectly and shot in a great way. I don't really understand the whole rewind bit and breaking the fourth wall. If not for this it would be 5 star. No need for an American remake.

Lady D'arbanville

Without a doubt, I should have watched this version (the original) first, as I try to do with most films as I would like to have agreed with the majority and… MoreWithout a doubt, I should have watched this version (the original) first, as I try to do with most films as I would like to have agreed with the majority and called this as the better version, in truth I think whichever version you see first will feel like the better version as both are so identical, the second viewing however is let down by knowing where the film is heading.
The shock element of reality in some parts is pretty disturbing, yet it also offers a little creativity in regards to the "remote control" part of the film.

Hard to watch. Strong, violent, and full of controlled aggression! The way that haneke makes us wait for any hope of enthusiasm but then breaks our spirits with… MoreHard to watch. Strong, violent, and full of controlled aggression! The way that haneke makes us wait for any hope of enthusiasm but then breaks our spirits with a rewind makes our stomach churn and can make some truly despise this film.
Something truly different!

Cynthia S.

Definitely sick and twisted with capital S and T! A really excellent catalyst to insure that people are left paranoid, and very uneasy, around strangers. Very… MoreDefinitely sick and twisted with capital S and T! A really excellent catalyst to insure that people are left paranoid, and very uneasy, around strangers. Very disturbing, but interesting movie. A better movie than the American remake. Not for the faint of heart.

Chris Weber

Despite the level of violence being low, and almost all of it off screen, this is a horror film in the true sense of the word, and one of the most unrelenting… MoreDespite the level of violence being low, and almost all of it off screen, this is a horror film in the true sense of the word, and one of the most unrelenting and unsettling films I've ever seen. This film is so creepy because it is minimalist in content and plot, but milks what's there for all it's worth. The film is extremely realistic too, save for a few meta moments which are necessary to get the director's point across, which was to show just how unglamorous and horrible, and uncool violence is. It's a jab at the media, and one that is almost too effective. Flourishes such as numerous uses of extended long takes and almost exclusive diegetic music both add to the realism, and make the film that much more of a grueling experience. I recommend the film, but this is one I don't want to see very often just because it is so intense, yet so slow and subtle in the way it plays out. This one is definitely worthy of intellectual discussion, which I think was one of the intentions anyway.